CHAMPIONSHIP DRAMA RAMPS UP FOR SOUTHERN THUNDER

Southern Thunder rumbles into Adelaide International Raceway this Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24 as the latest round of the 400 Thunder Professional Drag Racing Series ramps up the drama in the championship chase.

Hot on the heels of a scintillating Mactrack Westernationals at Perth Motorplex, the 400 Thunder Pro Slammers are set to duke it out over a 1000 feet race distance on Adelaide International Raceway’s unique all-bitumen race surface.

After dominating Western Australia with an event win, top qualifying honours and a new national speed record, 400 Thunder championship leader Paul Mouhayet (NSW) and talented crew chief Billy Stocklin will need to quickly come to terms with Adelaide, another track they have never raced their Moits Racing/Komatsu/Mack Ford Mustang on before.

Forty points down on Mouhayet is John Zappia (WA), who will look to use his extensive experience at Adelaide to relaunch his 400 Thunder championship aspirations.

In Pro Slammer, South Australian drag racing fans will also get to see Team Bray Racing’ Ben Bray (Qld), plus reigning 400 Thunder champion Mark Belleri (NSW) and WA’s Marty Dack.

One of Australia’s most successful drag racers of all time will be the hot favourite in 400 Thunder Pro Stock, with Queensland’s Aaron Tremayne hoping to earn yet another national championship to go with the more than half a dozen he already owns. Pro Stock has returned to strength for this event with its biggest field of the season including Aaron’s brother Tyronne, championship second place holder Jason Hedges (NSW), a returning Wayne Daley (Qld), Bruce Leake (NSW), local hotshot Gerry Parente (SA) and Chris Soldatos (Vic).

The tightest battle at the top of a 400 Thunder championship can be found in Pro Stock Bike, where Victoria’s Corey Buttigieg holds just a one point lead over Queensland’s Brad Lemberg. The two performance leaders have been setting quick pace around the country but Buttigieg has a chance to make his championship move as Lemberg will not be making the long tow to Adelaide International Raceway. Lemberg’s absence gives third placed Maurice Allen the opportunity to also make advances and see if he can’t earn another national championship for his mantelpiece. To do so he will have to get past veteran local Phil Howard (SA) and former national champion Locky Ireland (Vic).

Fans at Southern Thunder will be treated to the popular ‘all run format’, where every professional team hits the track three times on Saturday to decide the winner.

Those spectators seeking a more relaxed opportunity to meet their favourite drivers and riders can check out the two official pre-event test sessions on Friday night, where teams will aim to get their rides into peak performance before the action of race day.

Tickets are available from just $30 for Friday and $40 for Saturday, with kids under 14 years of age free.